Condensed transitions of graphical elements presented in graphical user interfaces

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying a graphical user interface including a container having a first child element and a second child element; providing for display the container on the graphical user interface in a first state, the first state including display of the first child element, but not the second child element; applying a transition to the container to effectuate a state change of the container from the first state to a second state, the second state including display of the second child element, but not the first child element, applying the transition including applying a crossfade to the container to graphically fade the first child element to the second child element during application of the transition to the container; and after applying the transition, providing for display the container on the graphical user interface in the second state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Patent Application No. 62/668,678, entitled “Condensed Transistions OfGraphical Elements Presented In Graphical User Interfaces,” filed May 8,2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present specification relates to transitions of graphical elementspresented on a graphical user interface.

BACKGROUND

In general, graphical user interfaces can present transitions betweengraphical elements as users interact with webpages or applications. Thatis, a presentation of a graphical element can be adjusted (graphicallyanimated) to a differing presentation of the graphical element. Smoothtransitions between such presentations provide ease of a user experienceto help users understand the semantic relationships between thegraphical elements, which makes software easier to use.

Transitions of graphical elements on a graphical user interface aredifficult and time consuming to design and implement. Transitions oftenrender at low frame rates on low end hardware causing a laggy andunpolished user experience.

SUMMARY

Innovative aspects of the subject matter described in this specificationmay be embodied in methods that include the actions of identifying agraphical user interface including a container having a first childelement and a second child element; providing for display the containeron the graphical user interface in a first state, the first stateincluding display of the first child element, but not the second childelement; applying a transition to the container to effectuate a statechange of the container from the first state to a second state as thecontainer moves within the graphical user interface, the second stateincluding display of the second child element, but not the first childelement, applying the transition including applying a crossfade to thecontainer to graphically fade the first child element to the secondchild element as the container moves within the graphical userinterface; and after applying the transition, providing the containerfor display within the graphical user interface in the second state.

Other embodiments of these aspects include corresponding systems,apparatus, and computer programs, configured to perform the actions ofthe methods, encoded on computer storage devices.

These and other embodiments may each optionally include one or more ofthe following features. For instance, applying the crossfade to thecontainer to graphically fade the first child element to the secondchild element includes adjusting an opacity of the first child elementand the second child element. Adjusting the opacity of the first childelement and the second child element including decreasing the opacity ofthe first child element while concurrently increasing the opacity of thesecond child element during application of the crossfade. Application ofthe transition to the container includes maintaining the container inthe first state while decreasing the opacity of the first child element.Application of the transition to the container includes maintaining thecontainer in the second state while increasing the opacity of the secondchild element. Each child element is represented by a respective framein the container and wherein applying the transition to the containerincludes replacing the frame in the container in the first state withthe frame in the container in the second state through a change inopacity of the frames.

Particular implementations of the subject matter described in thisspecification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of thefollowing advantages. For example, implementations of the subject matterprovide for the efficient usage of computer resources by reducing theamount of frames that are rendered for display for transitions betweengraphical elements presented in interactive interfaces such as webpages.By reducing rendering of such animation sequences, the computerresources are reduced while concurrently providing a similar userexperience. Specifically, by providing a condensed transition, theanimation is provided faster and simpler while maintaining a visualresemblance of a direct transition—all while reducing the usagecomputing resource. More specifically, using the condensed transitiondoes not require any processing to determine how each user interfaceelement from a first state relates to a second user interface element ina second state because using the condensed transition eliminates theneed to modify the user interface elements of the first state to arriveat the second state. Rather, the states of the condensed transition areindependent of each other because the first state is faded out, followedby the second state faded in. This fading occurs as the container moveswithin user interface, thereby creating a visual effect that resemblesthat of the direct transition. In other words, the speed of thecontainer movement combined with the crossfade results in a display thatis perceived to be the same (or similar) to a direct transition.Furthermore, rendering of such condensed transitions, for example, by amobile computing device with limited computer resources, is improved asthe amount of rendering is reduced. Furthermore, in some situations,using a condensed transition can eliminate the need to performinterpolation techniques that are used to generate a large number offrames that morph the user interface elements from the first state tothe user interface elements of the second state. Condensed transitionsalso enable transition between any two states independent of what userinterface elements are included in each state because of the fact thatthe transition between the two states is performed independently of whatuser interface elements are presented in each state. Additionally,reducing the amount of work needed to perform a transition improves theframe rate, which improves the user experience by making the elementsmove more smoothly.

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter describedin this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other potential features, aspects, and advantages ofthe subject matter will become apparent from the description, thedrawings, and the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a system for providing a condensed transition ofgraphical elements of a graphical user interface (GUI).

FIG. 2 depicts a container of the GUI in a first state.

FIG. 3 depicts a container of the GUI in a second state.

FIG. 4 is a graphical depiction of a direct transition of the childelements of the container.

FIG. 5 is a graphical depiction of a condensed transition of the childelements of the container.

FIG. 6 is a graphical depiction of a crossfaded transition of the childelements of the container.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example process of providing a condensedtransition of graphical elements of the GUI.

FIG. 8 depicts an example computing system that may be used to implementthe techniques described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to aspects described herein, there are provided methods andsystems implementing transitions in an automated manner, consuming lesscomputational power, and/or providing a consistent design.

A system and method for providing a condensed transition of graphicalelements that are presented on a graphical user interface (GUI) isdescribed. Specifically, the GUI can include a container that includeschild elements. Depending on the state of the container, a subset of thechild elements are presented, and/or the child elements are presentedwith different visual characteristics (e.g., an opacity of the childelements). The child elements can include graphical elements that arepresented, e.g., on a web page. Each of the child elements can beassociated with a sequence of frames that are to be presented, and eachcan include a subset of the frames. In some examples, in an initialpresentation of the GUI, the container is presented in a first statesuch that a first child element is presented for display, but a secondchild element is not presented. A transition can be applied to thecontainer to change the state of the container to a second state. Insome examples, in the subsequent presentation of the GUI, the containeris presented in the second state such that the second child element ispresented for display, but not the first child element. For example, thecontainer is transitioned to display a sequence of frames in a desiredorder such that a visual transformation is presented on the GUI. Each ofthe states can include respective shapes and positions of the container,and elements of the container.

In some optional examples, certain frames are removed from the sequenceof frames (e.g., relative to using a direct transition) such that acondensed transition of the container is provided for display on theGUI. For example, frames that would otherwise morph between two childelements in the middle of the sequence are not required to be presented.Removing the need to present the middle frames makes the condensedtransition faster and simpler while maintaining a resemblance to adirect transition. The condensed transition is visually simpler andtherefore easier for the hardware to render. In some optional cases, anempty frame can be inserted where one or more of the frames would havebeen located. A crossfade transition can be applied to the condensedtransition of the container to graphically fade the first child element(and the frames associated with the first child element) to the secondchild element (and the frames associated with the second child element).For example, the frames prior to the removed frames are graduallydecreased in opacity while the frames after the removed frames aregradually increased in opacity. The container is then provided fordisplay in the second state—that is, display of the second child elementbut not the first child element. To that end, the visual perception ofthe condensed transition of the container (e.g., as viewed by a userviewing the container that is provided for display of the GUI) isvisually similar to a direct transition. As described further herein,the condensed transition of the container from the first state to thesecond state, and the perceived movement of the child elements includedby the container is similar to that of a visual perception of a directtransition of the container, while not requiring processing to determinehow each user interface element of the second state can be derived fromthe user interface elements of the first state, as performed using adirect transition.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for providing condensed transitions ofgraphical elements. The system 100 includes a computing device 102 thatprovides for display a graphical user interface (GUI) 104. The computingdevice 102 includes a transition module 110 and a crossfade module 114.Each of the transition module 110 and the crossfade module 114 can be aseparate computing system, or a combination of computing systems. Insome examples, each of the transition module 110 and the crossfademodule can be implemented in a same set of physical hardware.

The graphical user interface 104 includes a container 120 having a firstchild element 122 a and a second child element 122 b (collectivelyreferred to as child elements 122). In some examples, the container 120defines a grouping of child elements 122 and relationships between thechild elements 122. Transformations can be applied to the container 120to adjust graphical properties of the child elements 122, describedfurther herein. The child elements 122 are graphical depictions that canbe presented within the GUI 104 based on a state of the container 120,described further herein. In some examples, the child elements 122 areagnostic and/or independent of each other. In some examples, thecontainer 120 can include any number of child elements 122.

In some implementations, as show in FIG. 2, the computing device 102provides for display the container 120 in a first state, the first stateincluding display of the first child element 122 a, but not the secondchild element 122 b. As illustrated, the first child element 122 aincludes a graphical depiction of a diamond-like shape; however, thefirst child element 122 a can include any shape/object, any graphicaldepiction, or any graphical element that can be presented on the GUI104. In some examples, when the container 120 is in the first state, thesecond child element 122 b is hidden from display, or otherwise notavailable for presentation within the GUI 104.

In some implementations, the computing device 102, and in particular thetransition module 110, applies a transition to the container 120 toeffectuate a state change of the container 120 from the first state to asecond state. In some examples, the second state includes display of thesecond child element 122 b, but not the first child element 122 a. Forexample, FIG. 3 illustrates the container 120 including display of thesecond child element 122 b, but not the first child element 122 a. Asillustrated, the second child element 122 b includes a graphicaldepiction of a circle-like shape; however, the second child element 122b can include any shape/object, any graphical depiction, or anygraphical element that can presented on the GUI 104. In some examples,when the container 120 is in the second state, the first child element122 a is hidden from display, or otherwise not available forpresentation within the GUI 104. In the illustrated example, thecomputing device 102 applies a transition to the container 120 toeffectuate a state change of the container 120 from including the firstchild element 122 a of the diamond-like shape and not including thesecond child element 122 b (the first state) to including the secondchild element 122 b of the circle-like shape and not including the firstchild element 122 a (the second state).

FIG. 4 illustrates an approach of a transition between the first stateand the second state of the container 120. Specifically, to apply thetransition by the computing device 102 to the container 120, thecomputing device 102 uses a plurality of frames 402 that are included inthe transition of the container 120 from the first state to the secondstate. In the illustrated example, the plurality of frames 402 representa 10-frame (direct) transition (animation) of the first child element122 a (diamond-like shape) to the second child element 122 b(circle-like shape). The plurality of frames 402 represent a sequence offrames that are displayed in a particular sequence, e.g., from a firstframe 404 to a last frame 406. In the illustrated example, the pluralityof frames 402 are displayed in a sequence from left-to-right; however,any display sequence of the plurality of frames 402 is possibledepending on the application desired. In particular, the container 120can be transitioned from the first state to the second state by morphing(e.g., using the results of an interpolation process) the first childelement 122 a to the second child element 122 b—presented as theplurality of frames 402 as the object of the frames 402 “moves” from thediamond-like shape to the circle-like shape.

To that end, in contrast to the interpolation process of FIG. 4 totransition the container 120 from the first state to the second state,the present disclosure applies a crossfade effect to the container 120,as the container 120 moves across the user interface, thereby creatingthe appearance of a direct transition, but without having to determinerelationships between user interface elements of the first state anduser interface elements of the second state. This limits and/oreliminates the need to perform morphing of the child elements of thecontainer 120, and the associated interpolation required to perform themorphing. As described further herein, such crossfade transitions can beapplied to multiple differing application scenarios, includingcrossfading of graphical elements graphical presented in webpages aswell as other graphical elements presented in other situations.Furthermore, applying a crossfade effect to the container 120 as thecontainer 120 moves within the user interface is computational moreefficient than the conventional process of FIG. 4, as generating andpresenting the results of interpolation between the first state and thesecond state of the container 120, which is more computationallydemanding, can be avoided or limited. As mentioned above the childelements 122 are agnostic and/or independent of each other.Specifically, the first child element 122 a can be agnostic of thesecond child element 122 b, and further, of the state of the container120. To that end, in a direct transition of the container 120, therelationship between each of the child elements that are presented in afirst state and the child elements presented in the second state wouldneed to be determined in order to transform the child elements betweenthe two states. In other words, in a direct transition, a particularuser interface element in the first state would need to be modified toarrive at a corresponding user interface element of the second state,thereby requiring processing to determine how that particular userinterface element needs to be modified. However, utilizing a condensedtransition of the container 120 provides the child elements and thestates of the container 120 are independent of each other, therebyremoving the need to perform processing to determine how to modify auser interface element of the first state to arrive at the correspondinguser interface element of the second state.

Referring to FIG. 5, furthermore, in some optional embodiments, to applythe transition by the computing device 102 to the container 120, thecomputing device 102 utilizes a condensed transition of the container120, e.g., a condensed plurality of frames 502. Specifically, thecomputing device 102 performs a condensed transition that requires fewerframes relative to the plurality of frames 402 to transition thecontainer 120 from the first state to the second state. The condensedplurality of frames 502 can be condensed relative to the transition ofFIG. 4.

In some optional examples, the computing device 102 eliminates the needfor or removes frames from the plurality of frames 402 that arepositioned at a middle or center of the plurality of frames 402 todefine the condensed plurality of frames 502. Specifically, while acontainer moves within the user interface, the computing device 102 cansimply apply a crossfade to transition between two states (e.g., abeginning state and an end state) by varying the opacity of childelements that are subject to the transition, as discussed in more detailbelow. The combination of the movement of the container and thecrossfade between the two states results in an animation that isvisually perceived in a similar manner as a direct transition.

Alternatively, or additionally, the computing device 102 can convert anexisting transition (e.g., that was generated using interpolationtechniques and includes a number of different frames that morph betweenstates), as illustrated by FIG. 4 into a condensed transition. Forexample, the computing device 102 can analyze the plurality of frames402 and determine which frames are to be removed. The computing device102 can identify the frames to be removed based on one our morecharacteristics, e.g., which removed frames provide for a smoothtransition of the container 120 from the first state to the secondstate, which removed frames provide for the efficient usage of computerresources while still providing the condensed transition, etc. In theillustrated example, the computing device 102 can identify frames 410for removal from the plurality of frames 402. The frames 410 can bepositioned at a middle/center of the plurality of frames 402. That is,there is a similar or a same number of frames preceding the removedframes 410 as there are subsequent to the removed frames 410. However,any number of frames can be removed from any point of the transition.

In some optional examples, the condensed plurality of frames 502 (e.g.,obtained by converting an existing transition to a condensed transitionor obtained by creating a condensed transition between two states)includes a first subset 510 of frames and a second subset of frames 512.The first subset 510 of frames are prior to the removed frames 410 inthe sequence and the second subset 512 are after the removed frames 410in the sequence. In some examples, the first state of the container 120includes the first subset 510 of frames and the second state of thecontainer 120 includes the second subset 512 of frames. In theillustrated example, the first subset 510 of frames are associated withthe diamond-like shape of the first state of the container 120 and thesecond subset 512 of frames are associated with the circle-like shape ofthe second state of the container 120.

In some implementations, to apply the transition by the computing device102 to the container 120, the computing device 102, and in particular,the crossfade module 114, applies a crossfade to the container 120 tographically fade the first child element 122 a to the second childelement 122 b during application of the condensed transition to thecontainer 120. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the crossfade module 114applies a crossfade to the container 120, and specifically, to thecondensed plurality of frames 502 to define crossfaded frames 602.Specifically, the crossfade module 114 applies the crossfade to thecontainer 120 by adjusting opacities of the first child element 122 aand the second child element 122 b as the container 120 moves. That is,the crossfade module 114 applies the crossfade to the container 120 byadjusting an opacity of the first subset of frames 510 included by thefirst child element 122 a and the second subset of frames 512 includedby the second child element 122 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the crossfade module 114 adjusts the opacityof the first child element 122 a by decreasing the opacity of the firstchild element 122 a, and specifically, the first subset of frames 510included by the first child element 122 a. In some examples, the framesof the first subset of frames 510 are gradually decreased in opacitysuch that each subsequent frame includes less opacity than a previousframe. Further, the crossfade module 114 adjusts the opacity of thesecond child element 122 b by increasing the opacity of the second childelement 122 b, and specifically, the second subset of frames 512included by the second child element 122 b. In some examples, the framesof the second subset of frames 512 are gradually increased in opacitysuch that each subsequent frame includes more opacity than a previousframe. In some examples, the opacity of the first child element 122 a(and the first subset of frames 510) is decreased concurrently with theopacity of the second child element 122 b (and the second subset offrames 512) increasing.

In some examples, the crossfade module 114 decreases the opacity of thefirst child element 122 a (and the first subset of frames 510) whilemaintaining the container 120 in the first state. That is, the GUI 104includes display of the container 120 in the first state (e.g., displayof the first child element 122 a and not the second child element 122 b)while decreasing the opacity of the first child element 122 a (e.g., thefirst subset of frames 510). In some examples, the crossfade module 114increases the opacity of the second child element 122 b (and the secondsubset of frames 512) while maintaining the container 120 in the secondstate. That is, the GUI 104 includes display of the container 120 in thesecond state (e.g., display of the second child element 122 b and notthe first child element 122 a) while increasing the opacity of thesecond child element 122 b (e.g., the second subset of frames 512).

In some examples, the computing device 102 can insert (or add) an emptyframe 610 within the sequence of the crossfaded frames 602. Thecomputing system 102 can insert the empty frame 610 at a middle/centerof the sequence of the crossfaded frames 602. When converting apreviously created transition (e.g., as illustrated by FIG. 4), theempty frame 610 replaces (or takes the place of) the removed frames 410,or a least a portion of the removed frames 410. When creating a newcondensed transition between two states, the empty frame 610 canseparate frames of the two different states (e.g., be located between aframe of the beginning state and a frame of the ending state). The emptyframe 610 can be void of any displayable content.

In some examples, referring to FIG. 4, the computing device 102determines a shape and a position of the first frame 404 as a firstgraphical representation of the container 410 and determines a shape anda position of the last frame 406 as a second graphical representation ofthe container 410. Further, the computing device 102 applies thetransition to the container 410 by morphing the first graphicalrepresentation of the container 410 into the second graphicalrepresentation of the container 410 for the condensed transition. Forexample, the child elements 122 are represented by respective frames (ofthe frames 402) in the container 410, and applying the transition to thecontainer includes morphing the shape and the position of the respectiveframes in the container 410 in the first state to the shape and theposition of the respective frames in the container 410 in the sectionstate in the condensed transition.

In some implementations, after the computing device 102, andspecifically, the transition module 110, applies the transition to thecontainer 120, the computing device 102 provides for display thecontainer 120 on the GUI 104 in the second state, as illustrated in FIG.3. That is, the presentation of the container 120 includes the secondchild element 122 b, and does not include the first child element 122 a.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example process 700 for providing condensedtransitions of graphical elements. The process 700 can be performed, forexample, by the computing device 102, or another data processingapparatus. The process 700 can also be implemented as instructionsstored on a computer storage medium, and execution of the instructionsby one or more data processing apparatus cause the one or more dataprocessing apparatus to perform some or all of the operations of theprocess 700.

The computing device 102 identifies the graphical user interface (GUI)104 (702). In some examples, the GUI 104 includes the container 120 thathas the first child element 122 a and the second child element 122 b.The container 120 defines the grouping of child elements 122 andrelationships between the child elements 122. The computing device 102provides for display the container 120 on the GUI 104 in a first state(704). In some examples, the first state of the container 120 includesdisplay of the first child element 122 a and not the second childelement 122 b. As show in FIG. 2, the computing device 102 provides fordisplay the container 120 in a first state, the first state includingdisplay of the first child element 122 a, but not the second childelement 122 b. The transition module 110 applies a transition to thecontainer 120 to effectuate a state change of the container 120 from thefirst state to the second state (706). In some examples, the secondstate includes display of the second child element 122 b and not thefirst child element 122 a.

The crossfade module 114 applies a crossfade to the container 120 tographically fade the first child element 122 a to the second childelement 122 b during application of the transition to the container 120(708). Specifically, the crossfade module 114 applies a crossfade to thecontainer 120, and specifically, to the condensed plurality of frames502 to define the crossfaded frames 602 as the container 120 moveswithin the user interface. In some examples, the crossfade module 114applies the crossfade to the container 120 by adjusting an opacity ofthe first child element 122 a and the second child element 122 b as thecontainer 120 moves. This opacity adjustment in combination with themovement of the container creates an animation effect that is visuallyperceived in a manner similar to that provided by a direct transition,but without requiring the processing to perform the direct transition.The computing device 102 provides for display, after applying thetransition, the container 120 on the GUI 104 in the second state (710).That is, after the transition is applied, the container 120 presents thesecond child element 122 b, but does not present the first child element122 a.

In some implementations, an existing transition (e.g., a directtransition similar to that shown in FIG. 4) can be converted to acondensed transition. In these implementations, the transition module110 identifies the plurality of frames 402 that are included in thetransition of the container 120 from the first state to the secondstate. The plurality of frames 402 represent a sequence of frames thatare displayed in a particular sequence of frames between the first stateand the second state. The computing device 102 can remove some of theframes (e.g., frames 410) from the plurality of frames 402 to provide acondensed transition of the container 120 (710). Specifically, thecomputing device 102 can remove frames from the plurality of frames 402to provide the condensed transition of the container from the firststate to the second state using fewer frames than is required by thefull direct transition. The crossfade discussed above can also beapplied to the remaining frames.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a generic computer device 800 and a genericmobile computer device 850, which may be used with the techniquesdescribed here. Computing device 800 is intended to represent variousforms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations,personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, andother appropriate computers. Computing device 850 is intended torepresent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digitalassistants, cellular telephones, smartphones, and other similarcomputing devices. The components shown here, their connections andrelationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only, andare not meant to limit implementations of the inventions describedand/or claimed in this document.

Computing device 800 includes a processor 802, memory 804, a storagedevice 806, a high-speed interface 808 connecting to memory 804 andhigh-speed expansion ports 810, and a low speed interface 812 connectingto low speed bus 814 and storage device 806. Each of the components 802,804, 806, 808, 810, and 812, are interconnected using various busses,and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners asappropriate. The processor 802 may process instructions for executionwithin the computing device 800, including instructions stored in thememory 804 or on the storage device 806 to display graphical informationfor a GUI on an external input/output device, such as display 816coupled to high speed interface 808. In other implementations, multipleprocessors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along withmultiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices800 may be connected, with each device providing portions of thenecessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers,or a multi-processor system).

The memory 804 stores information within the computing device 800. Inone implementation, the memory 804 is a volatile memory unit or units.In another implementation, the memory 804 is a non-volatile memory unitor units. The memory 804 may also be another form of computer-readablemedium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The storage device 806 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 800. In one implementation, the storage device 806 maybe or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk device,a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, a flashmemory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array ofdevices, including devices in a storage area network or otherconfigurations. A computer program product may be tangibly embodied inan information carrier. The computer program product may also containinstructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such asthose described above. The information carrier is a computer- ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 804, the storage device 806,or a memory on processor 802.

The high speed controller 808 manages bandwidth-intensive operations forthe computing device 800, while the low speed controller 812 manageslower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions isexemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed controller 808 iscoupled to memory 804, display 816 (e.g., through a graphics processoror accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports 810, which may acceptvarious expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speedcontroller 812 is coupled to storage device 806 and low-speed expansionport 814. The low-speed expansion port, which may include variouscommunication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet)may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard,a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch orrouter, e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device 800 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 820, or multiple times in a group of such servers. Itmay also be implemented as part of a rack server system 824. Inaddition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptopcomputer 822. Alternatively, components from computing device 800 may becombined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such asdevice 850. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computingdevice 800, 850, and an entire system may be made up of multiplecomputing devices 800, 850 communicating with each other.

Computing device 850 includes a processor 852, memory 864, aninput/output device such as a display 854, a communication interface866, and a transceiver 868, among other components. The device 850 mayalso be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive or otherdevice, to provide additional storage. Each of the components 850, 852,864, 854, 866, and 868, are interconnected using various buses, andseveral of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or inother manners as appropriate.

The processor 852 may execute instructions within the computing device840, including instructions stored in the memory 864. The processor maybe implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multipleanalog and digital processors. The processor may provide, for example,for coordination of the other components of the device 850, such ascontrol of user interfaces, applications run by device 850, and wirelesscommunication by device 850.

Processor 852 may communicate with a user through control interface 848and display interface 856 coupled to a display 854. The display 854 maybe, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display)or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or other appropriatedisplay technology. The display interface 856 may comprise appropriatecircuitry for driving the display 854 to present graphical and otherinformation to a user. The control interface 858 may receive commandsfrom a user and convert them for submission to the processor 852. Inaddition, an external interface 862 may be provide in communication withprocessor 852, so as to enable near area communication of device 850with other devices. External interface 862 may provide, for example, forwired communication in some implementations, or for wirelesscommunication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces may alsobe used.

The memory 864 stores information within the computing device 850. Thememory 864 may be implemented as one or more of a computer-readablemedium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatilememory unit or units. Expansion memory 854 may also be provided andconnected to device 850 through expansion interface 852, which mayinclude, for example, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) cardinterface. Such expansion memory 854 may provide extra storage space fordevice 850, or may also store applications or other information fordevice 850. Specifically, expansion memory 854 may include instructionsto carry out or supplement the processes described above, and mayinclude secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory 854may be provide as a security module for device 850, and may beprogrammed with instructions that permit secure use of device 850. Inaddition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, alongwith additional information, such as placing identifying information onthe SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory,as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product istangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer programproduct contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or moremethods, such as those described above. The information carrier is acomputer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 864, expansionmemory 854, memory on processor 852, or a propagated signal that may bereceived, for example, over transceiver 868 or external interface 862.

Device 850 may communicate wirelessly through communication interface866, which may include digital signal processing circuitry wherenecessary. Communication interface 866 may provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, orMMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others.Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequencytransceiver 868. In addition, short-range communication may occur, suchas using a Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceiver (not shown). Inaddition, GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver module 850 mayprovide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data todevice 850, which may be used as appropriate by applications running ondevice 850.

Device 850 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 860, which mayreceive spoken information from a user and convert it to usable digitalinformation. Audio codec 860 may likewise generate audible sound for auser, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device 850. Suchsound may include sound from voice telephone calls, may include recordedsound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and may also includesound generated by applications operating on device 850.

The computing device 850 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as acellular telephone 880. It may also be implemented as part of asmartphone 882, personal digital assistant, or other similar mobiledevice.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here maybe realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits),computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.These various implementations may include implementation in one or morecomputer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium”“computer-readable medium” refers to any computer program product,apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory,Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructionsand/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readablemedium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here may be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user may provideinput to the computer. Other kinds of devices may be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser may be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user may bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here may be implemented in acomputing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a dataserver), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an applicationserver), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computerhaving a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a usermay interact with an implementation of the systems and techniquesdescribed here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, orfront end components. The components of the system may be interconnectedby any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., acommunication network). Examples of communication networks include alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and theInternet.

The computing system may include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

While this disclosure includes some specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what maybe claimed, but rather as descriptions of features of exampleimplementations of the disclosure. Certain features that are describedin this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can alsobe provided in combination in a single implementation. Conversely,various features that are described in the context of a singleimplementation can also be provided in multiple implementationsseparately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, althoughfeatures may be described above as acting in certain combinations andeven initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimedcombination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and theclaimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation ofa subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the implementations described above should not beunderstood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and itshould be understood that the described program components and systemscan generally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

Thus, particular implementations of the present disclosure have beendescribed. Other implementations are within the scope of the followingclaims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performedin a different order and still achieve desirable results. A number ofimplementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understoodthat various modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure. For example, various forms of the flowsshown above may be used, with steps re-ordered, added, or removed.Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the followingclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprisingidentifying a graphical user interface including a container having afirst child element and a second child element; providing for displaythe container on the graphical user interface in a first state, thefirst state including display of the first child element, but not thesecond child element; applying a transition to the container toeffectuate a state change of the container from the first state to asecond state as the container moves within the graphical user interface,the second state including display of the second child element, but notthe first child element, applying the transition including applying acrossfade to the container to graphically fade between the first childelement and the second child element as the container moves within thegraphical user interface, wherein the transition to the containerprovides an animation that is visually perceived as a direct transitionbetween the first child element and the second child element independentof an interpolation process that morphs the first child element into thesecond child element; and after applying the transition, providing thecontainer for display within the graphical user interface in the secondstate.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein applyingthe crossfade to the container to graphically fade the first childelement to the second child element includes adjusting an opacity of thefirst child element and the second child element.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the opacity ofthe first child element and the second child element includes decreasingthe opacity of the first child element and increasing the opacity of thesecond child element during application of the crossfade.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein application of thetransition to the container includes maintaining the container in thefirst state while decreasing the opacity of the first child element. 5.The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein application of thetransition to the container includes maintaining the container in thesecond state while increasing the opacity of the second child element.6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each childelement is represented by a respective frame in the container andwherein applying the transition to the container includes replacing theframe in the container in the first state with the frame in thecontainer in the second state through a change in opacity of the frames.7. A system comprising: one or more computers and one or more storagedevices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the oneor more computers, to cause the one or more computers to performoperations comprising: identifying a graphical user interface includinga container having a first child element and a second child element;providing for display the container on the graphical user interface in afirst state, the first state including display of the first childelement, but not the second child element; applying a transition to thecontainer to effectuate a state change of the container from the firststate to a second state as the container moves within the graphical userinterface, the second state including display of the second childelement, but not the first child element, the applying the transitionincluding applying a crossfade to the container to graphically fadebetween the first child element and the second child element as thecontainer moves within the graphical user interface, wherein thetransition to the container provides an animation that is visuallyperceived as a direct transition between the first child element and thesecond child element independent of an interpolation process that morphsthe first child element into the second child element; and afterapplying the transition, providing the container for display within thegraphical user interface in the second state.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein applying the crossfade to the container to graphically fade thefirst child element to the second child element includes adjusting anopacity of the first child element and the second child element.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein adjusting the opacity of the first childelement and the second child element including decreasing the opacity ofthe first child element and increasing the opacity of the second childelement during application of the crossfade.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein application of the transition to the container includesmaintaining the container in the first state while decreasing theopacity of the first child element.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereinapplication of the transition to the container includes maintaining thecontainer in the second state while increasing the opacity of the secondchild element.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein each child element isrepresented by a respective frame in the container and wherein applyingthe transition to the container includes replacing the frame in thecontainer in the first state with the frame in the container in thesecond state through a change in opacity of the frames.
 13. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing software comprisinginstructions executable by one or more computers which, upon suchexecution, cause the one or more computers to perform operationscomprising: identifying a graphical user interface including a containerhaving a first child element and a second child element; providing fordisplay the container on the graphical user interface in a first state,the first state including display of the first child element, but notthe second child element; applying a transition to the container toeffectuate a state change of the container from the first state to asecond state as the container moves within the graphical user interface,the second state including display of the second child element, but notthe first child element, the applying the transition including applyinga crossfade to the container to graphically fade between the first childelement and the second child element as the container moves within thegraphical user interface, wherein the transition to the containerprovides an animation that is visually perceived as a direct transitionbetween the first child element and the second child element independentof an interpolation process that morphs the first child element into thesecond child element; and after applying the transition, providing thecontainer for display within the graphical user interface in the secondstate.
 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein applyingthe crossfade to the container to graphically fade the first childelement to the second child element includes adjusting an opacity of thefirst child element and the second child element.
 15. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein adjusting the opacity ofthe first child element and the second child element includingdecreasing the opacity of the first child element and increasing theopacity of the second child element during application of the crossfade.16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein application of thetransition to the container includes maintaining the container in thefirst state while decreasing the opacity of the first child element. 17.The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein application of thetransition to the container includes maintaining the container in thesecond state while increasing the opacity of the second child element.18. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein each child elementis represented by a respective frame in the container and whereinapplying the transition to the container includes replacing the frame inthe container in the first state with the frame in the container in thesecond state through a change in opacity of the frames.